Clean Energy CAN Create More Jobs IF…
we create policies and take actions that moves us from our dependence on fossil fuels and grows our domestic clean energy economy.
In April, the Center for American Progress release the report Taking Action on Clean Energy and Climate Protection in 2012: A Menu of Effective and Feasible Solutions. Authors Jason Walsh and Kate Gordon make a strong argument that the clean energy economy is growing, but has the potential to grow even more if we all implement the solutions they list.
By transitioning our energy infrastructure from capital-intensive, risky, and often highly polluting energy sources to clean, labor-intensive energy sources we can create many new jobs, grow our middle class, ensure greater energy security, and protect our nation and planet from the predictable ravages of unchecked climate change.
In the Report Appendix pages 66-70, the authors create a simple chart that outlines their solutions under the three goals they outline and break down action steps at federal level, local/state/regional levels, and by private sector. Solutions include things from extending the federal production tax credit for wind to creating industry partnerships that link economic and workforce development in states’ regional economies to prioritizing energy efficiency at corporate headquarters, across stores and manufacturing plants, and in supply chain.
Clean energy jobs are not created in a vacuum, but need the right mix of support at all levels.
This post is by Tricia Maguire, editor of the SkillWorks’ Green Jobs Blog. SkillWorks is a public/private partnership that seeks to address the needs of employers for more skilled workers and of workers for more and better access to jobs that pay a family-supporting wage.
“Sustainability is an All Hands on Deck Issue”
Andre Pettigrew from the Climate Prosperity Project, Inc. led with this message as part of his plenary presentation at the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) Climate Leadership Academy (CLA) on Sustainable Economic Development this week in Denver, Colorado.
The CLA on Sustainable Economic Development helps local and regional officials work effectively with key private and nonprofit partners and state government counterparts to establish and implement sustainable economic development strategies while simultaneously reducing climate pollution and improving environmental quality.
Other highlights:
- Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins from Green for All gave the 9/13 keynote, “Making the Case for an Inclusive Green Economy”. Phaedra approaches the green economy with the firm belief that everyone deserves a good job and good health. The Gandhi quote, “first they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win“, helps Phaedra deal with climate change opposition because according to Gandhi we are closer to winning!
- James Nixon from Global Urban Development gave a plenary talk about knowing your strengths and building your strategy with the goal of “getting richer by getting greener” which is the tagline of the Sustainable Economic Development (SED) Network. James urged us to focus on the four greens: Green Savings (demand side), Green Opportunities (supply side), Green Places (Geographic side), Green Talent (human resources).
- Christine Ageton from Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) presented a stellar argument for why buying local matters and gave great local examples that included the positive economic multiplier effects of buying local. “Ownership matters; Community matters; Collaboration and collective action matters – Real prosperity starts here”.
- Andre Pettigrew also led a discussion on “Learning to Speak Sustainability and Economic Development”. Communication matters and messages like: “saving the planet now makes dollars and cents/sense” need to be part of our strategies. Subscribe to Clean Economy Wire – news about clean energy economic development.
A good overall takeaway from the CLA is that sustainable economic development is possible and is profitable for businesses, workers, and the environment. The key is a good marketing strategy highlighting local stories and presenting the case in relatable language or plain speak – not an easy feat!
This post is by Tricia Maguire, editor of the SkillWorks’ Green Jobs Blog. SkillWorks is a public/private partnership that seeks to address the needs of employers for more skilled workers and of workers for more and better access to jobs that pay a family-supporting wage.
Enough about Weatherization – Let’s talk Solar!!
I am not saying that weatherization is not important, but I feel like green jobs conversations primarily focus on weatherization and I am close to hitting my saturation point!
The recently released U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, “Careers in Solar Power” gives us a perfect excuse to talk about something other than weatherization. The first few lines of the report point to the huge missed opportunity if we do not start talking solar:
Sunlight is the most abundant source of potential energy on the planet. If harnessed properly, sunlight could easily exceed current and future electricity demand. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, every hour, enough energy from the sun reaches Earth to meet the world’s energy usage for an entire year.
Not to oversimplify, but WOW!! Solar power is clean energy and abundant enough to potentially take care of the world’s energy usage? We definitely need to talk solar and work on making it affordable for everyone.
Once you get past the first part of the BLS report that discusses the technical side of solar power generation, the report devotes many pages to the solar power workforce needs. The workforce implications of increased use of solar are many and run the skills gamut. BLS gives a run down of solar power occupations, job duties, credentials, and wages:
- Scientific Research: physicists; chemists; material scientists
- Solar Power Engineering: materials, chemical, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineers; computer software developers; engineering technicians
- Manufacturing for Solar Power: semiconductor processors; computer-controlled machine tool operators; welding, soldering, and brazing workers; glaziers; coating and painting machine setters, operators, and tenders; electrical and electronics installers and repairers; electrical and electronic equipment assemblers; industrial production managers
- Solar Power Plan Development: real estate brokers; atmospheric scientists; environmental scientists
- Solar Power Plant Construction: construction managers; civil engineers; construction laborers; construction equipment operators; welders; structural iron and steel workers
- Solar Power Plant Operations: power plant operators; pump operators; electricians; plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters; electrical and electronics installers and repairers; electrical engineers
- Solar Panel Installation and Maintenance: solar photovoltaic installers; site assessors; electricians; plumbers; roofers
This post is by Tricia Maguire, editor of the SkillWorks’ Green Jobs Blog. SkillWorks is a public/private partnership that seeks to address the needs of employers for more skilled workers and of workers for more and better access to jobs that pay a family-supporting wage.
Webinar Powerpoint: MA Clean Energy Online Directory
Have you checked out the recently launched Massachusetts Clean Energy Education and Training Directory?
The Directory is a web-based database that virtually connects education and training resources with job seekers and energy efficiency and renewable energy employers. It is a joint project of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), and the New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC).
If you missed yesterday’s webinar demonstration of the Directory (co-sponsored by MassCEC, NEEP, NECEC, and SkillWorks) because of snow/wintry mix related challenges, you can click here to view the powerpoint presentation.
Due to a technical difficulty, the webinar was not able to be recorded, but online tutorials will be recorded soon and posted on the Directory website.
Webinar: MA Clean Energy Education and Training Directory 1.0
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), the New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC), and SkillWorks invite you to join us for a webinar on Wednesday, February 2nd from 1:30pm to 2:30pm EST to introduce a new and exciting clean energy online search tool.
The recently launched Massachusetts Clean Energy Education and Training Directory 1.0 is a web-based database that virtually connects education and training resources with job seekers and energy efficiency and renewable energy employers.
During this webinar, Ed Londergan from NEEP and Kevin Doyle from NECEC will walk through a brief overview of the project and will give a demonstration on the content and search functions of the Directory.
Green Justice Coalition Issue Brief & 9/22 Community Action Forum
On September 9, 2010, the Green Justice Coalition released the issue brief -
Massachusetts’ 3-Year Energy Efficiency Plans: Creating Access for All?
On September 22, 2010 @ 6pm the Green Justice Coalition is hosting a
Community Action Forum on Green Jobs and Home Weatherization
@ Our Lady of Lourdes in Jamaica Plain
Weatherization resource – WxTV
Curious how an energy audit is conducted? Looking to supplement weatherization training courses with some “how-to” videos? Check out Weatherization Television Network, or WxTV, produced by the Montana Weatherization Training Center.
WxTV features a series of weekly, 45-minute web episodes on weatherization techniques and technology. To date there are 6 “webisodes” to view:
- Gas Furnace Basics: Clean, Tune, & Test
- Heating Basics: A Tour of 9 Systems
- Auditing: The Selection of Measures
- Auditing: The Challenge of the Site Visit
- 12 Steps to Lead Safety
- This is the World of Weatherization
We learned about this resource through an article in The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Weatherization centers gets $350K grant to fund training ‘webisodes’, that talked about the Montana Weatherization Training Center as one of nine recipients of $5 million total donated by ExxonMobil and distributed by the National Community Action Foundation.
